DOH wants safe food, water served to Palarong Pambansa delegates

ILOILO CITY-- The Department of Health (DOH) will be keeping a close watch on food preparations and sources of drinking water of delegates who will be joining the 2017 Palarong Pambansa slated this April 23-29 in Antique.

Dr. Elvie Villalobos, head of the Infectious and Environmental Cluster of DOH in Western Visayas, on Tuesday said that as early as February and March this year, a team from the regional office was sent to Antique to monitor the preparations of the province.

He said that a guideline was sent to the province regarding the need to ensure safe drinking water and food. Food establishment and caterers will be monitored when it comes to their preparations.

Delegations that brought with them food servers and caterers were also oriented about food safety. He emphasized that foods must be cooked or heated up to 70 degrees Centigrade to ensure that microorganisms are killed; correct temperature must be observed, food should not be left outside more than four hours, otherwise they will be reheated or placed in refrigerators; raw must be separated from cooked and meat must pass through slaughterhouses and not just in backyards.

Villalobos added that they are also planning to send one filtration machine to ensure the safe drinking water of the delegates.

The national sports event is expected to gather around 12,000 athletes, coaches and staff from various regions in the country.

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